Open Doors launches ministry for traumatised Iraqi children

Open Doors has launched a new ministry in Iraq focused on helping train teachers, church workers and others who interact with traumatised children who face continued violence that has become part of their daily lives.

Open Doors, a non-denominational Christian mission supporting persecuted Christian believers in more than 45 countries where Christianity is socially or legally discouraged or oppressed, said it has received a positive feedback from the beneficiaries.

One of the Open Doors’ co-workers in Iraq states: “Because we are working with a traumatised population, we have to address the issue of trauma. Training people to help traumatised children is one part of the course.

“Recently we gave a trauma counseling training course to help children. The group was very attentive, on-time and able to soak in the material. The group consisted of kindergarten teachers, orphanage workers, nuns, psychologists and social workers. Church youth workers also benefited from the course. All seemed to enjoy breaking into smaller discussion groups.

“Most of the class members had experienced a high level of violence, including car bombings, and other war related traumas themselves. All felt this course was very helpful.”

Open Doors said some of the sessions included: child and teenage development, emotional development and the need for children to express and manage emotions and feelings, understanding child trauma , art as therapy, how children respond to trauma, symptoms and effects of post traumatic stress disorder, the healthy grief process and forgiveness. There were opening devotions each day of the course.

Participants have testified to the helping hands offered by Open Doors. One participant named Raza said: “I learned how to listen to a child and get the child to express feelings. And how to therapeutically play with a child. I liked the small group discussions the best.”

Another participant Sadia testified, “I feel equipped on speaking with children about feelings and trauma reactions/symptoms.”

Dema said, “I feel more equipped on how to help children to verbalise problems, how to listen effectively and show love.”

Ihab also testified: “I feel equipped on developing a relationship and listening to children, about child trauma and therapeutic play. I liked all parts of the training, especially art therapy. I would love to know more theories of working with children.”

“Open Doors continues to minister in Iraq despite the recent increase in violence,” says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. “Many of these children and youth have known nothing but chaos and violence; some since birth. Some have watched as loved ones have been killed or wounded. Trauma counseling is so important along with spiritual and physical help. Open Doors works to address all areas of their lives.”

According to Open Doors, an estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers.

Open Doors, which is also engaged in the distribution of Bibles and literature, audio recordings, broadcasting and training is also inviting Christians to partner with them to strengthen the ministry.


For more information about Open Doors USA, please visit www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.